We demonstrate the smallest FinFET SRAM cell size of 0.063 μm 2 reported to date using optical lithography. The cell is fabricated with contacted gate pitch (CPP) scaled to 80 nm and fin pitch scaled to 40 nm for the first time using a state-of-the-art 300 mm tool set. A unique patterning scheme featuring double-expose, double-etch (DE 2 ) sidewall image transfer (SIT) process is used for fin formation. This scheme also forms differential fin pitch in the SRAM cells, where epitaxial films are used to merge only the tight pitch devices. The epitaxial films are also used for conformal doping of the devices, which reduces the external resistance significantly. Other features include gate-first metal gate stacks and transistors with 25 nm gate lengths with excellent short channel control.
In this paper, we describe the integration of EUV lithography into a standard semiconductor manufacturing flow to produce demonstration devices. 45 nm logic test chips with functional transistors were fabricated using EUV lithography to pattern the first interconnect level (metal 1).This device fabrication exercise required the development of rule-based 'OPC' to correct for flare and mask shadowing effects. These corrections were applied to the fabrication of a full-field mask. The resulting mask and the 0.25-NA fullfield EUV scanner were found to provide more than adequate performance for this 45 nm logic node demonstration. The CD uniformity across the field and through a lot of wafers was 6.6% (3σ) and the measured overlay on the test-chip (product) wafers was well below 20 nm (mean + 3σ). A resist process was developed and performed well at a sensitivity of 3.8 mJ/cm 2 , providing ample process latitude and etch selectivity for pattern transfer. The etch recipes provided good CD control, profiles and end-point discrimination, allowing for good electrical connection to the underlying levels, as evidenced by electrical test results.Many transistors connected with Cu-metal lines defined using EUV lithography were tested electrically and found to have characteristics very similar to 45 nm node transistors fabricated using more traditional methods.
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